Koulujärjestelmä

Koulujärjestelmä, or the Finnish education system, refers to the organized framework of public and private education in Finland. It covers early childhood education, basic education, secondary education, and higher education. The system is publicly funded, with municipalities responsible for provision and services, and education is generally free for students.

Basic education comprises pre-primary education and the nine-year comprehensive school (grades 1–9), typically for children aged 7 to 16. Compulsory education is designed to ensure equal access and is supported by student welfare services, teachers, and local resources. The national core curriculum outlines broad goals and subjects, while schools adapt local curricula to their communities. Instruction is primarily in Finnish or Swedish, with provisions for minority language education and Sami language instruction in areas where needed.

After basic education, students may choose upper secondary pathways. General upper secondary education (lukio) lasts about three years and prepares students for higher education, while vocational education and training (ammatillinen koulutus) offers two to four-year programs leading to formal qualifications and strong ties to the labor market. Both tracks provide multiple pathways and often include work-based learning or apprenticeships.

Higher education in Finland consists of universities (yliopistot) and universities of applied sciences (ammattikorkeakoulut). Degree structures typically include Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, with Doctorates available in research-oriented universities. Entrance to some programs may involve entrance exams or competitive applications, and many programs are offered in English as well as Finnish and Swedish.

Key features of the system include emphasis on equality, student welfare, and inclusive education, with nationwide quality assurance and continuous development. Tuition is generally free forFinnish and EU/EEA students, and financial aid is available through the national Social Insurance Institution.